n [ sing + sing/pl v ] (also the upper classes [ pl ])
the highest class of people in society. In Britain the upper class are usually from rich families who own land and property. They may have noble titles such as ‘Lord’ or ‘Lady’, and they typically send their children to public schools . Many people also think of them as having a particular way of speaking. Because of their connection with the land and the countryside, they are often associated with country sports such as hunting and horse riding.
► upper-class adj :
an upper-class accent/education/family